The days are passing by so quickly, in a dreamy laid back holiday kind of way, as we're Mark and Ivan's house guests for January. They have consistently invited us to Puerto Vallarta every winter since they moved here six years ago. What with one thing and another, this is the first year we have made it south of the border to see them. Living in Mexico presents its challenges but they have created the most wonderful home you can imagine. It has the style and luxury of a boutique hotel and is built into the granite mountainside, overlooking the bay. There are three outdoor terraces for the kitchen, dining, living, and sunning areas, connected by stairs. There is one en suite bedroom on each level, each with a balcony and another indoor living area underneath the pool. You can look at the photographs here.Mark and Ivan put a huge effort into their annual bash on 12th night and this was no exception. The decorating theme for the house was a 'Streetcar Named Desire' and they had the front of a streetcar (American for tram) made for the occasion and for their guests to pose for photographs on arrival. The house was decked out in purple, gold and green, the colours of Mardi Gras. The invitees had all made a fantastic effort with their fancy dress and in honour of their British guests Mark and Ivan were at their regal best.

Mark provided us with costumes, I was meant to be Marie Antoinette but didn't really pull it off. Mike, however, made an extremely convincing Tracey Turnblad from Hairspray.